Could MLB Season Come Down to Money?
MLB players are reportedly unwilling to renegotiate compensation for a shortened season. SI's Stephanie Epstein breaks down the reasoning for the dispute between players and owners and what it could mean for the league going forward.
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Robin Lundberg: Major League Baseball players may be unwilling to negotiate compensation for a shortened season. For more, I'm joined by our Stephanie Epstein. Stephanie, in any labor dispute, I tend to side with labor over management. But in this case, wouldn't the pie shrink?
Stephanie Epstein: Yeah, I think the the players feeling is that that is the case and that's why they agreed to be paid a pro-rated portion of their salaries and their position as the owners agreed to this plan in March. And it was clear at that point that we might not have fans in the stands and so they have to live with the deal they made.
Robin Lundberg: So basically, the the owners are trying to renegotiate a renegotiation deal according to the players.
Stephanie Epstein: That's that's their position.
Robin Lundberg: What do you think happens here? I mean, is this just setup for another negotiation or could it get actually ugly?
Stephanie Epstein: I think it's unlikely that the players will agree to the proposal the owner sent their way in last night. I think there will definitely be some discussion. I don't know where they'll AD. I think this is going to be a real this is a real sticking point for a lot of people. You know, the players the players would say that they're taking all the risks. They're they're going out and playing these games in the middle of a pandemic and that they shouldn't have to take a pay cut beyond their per right salary to do that.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Robin Lundberg: It is a fair point that they would be the ones going out there. We'll see how it winds up shaking out as these sorts of conflicts have happened before it comes to Major League Baseball. Stephanie, appreciate your time, as always.
Stephanie Epstein: Thanks for having me.
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